Our Ethos, Aims and Values

The aim of the Aspire Educational Trust is to give children and young people from all backgrounds an outstanding education. In so doing, they will acquire the values, skills, knowledge and understanding, to prepare them for life beyond the classroom and subsequently succeed. To achieve this aim we will establish outstanding academies in our local communities and beyond. Our ethos will be based upon full inclusion, high expectations, outstanding teaching and learning, and a relentless focus on the needs and potential of every child.

Our core values will shape and inform the operation of the Trust.

Together we make a difference

Ethos and mission statement

Each academy will become an outstanding school and work collaboratively with other schools within the Trust for mutual benefit and improvement. Schools will also maintain good working relationships with other local schools, community organisations and the local authority to ensure they fully serve their local communities.

British Values Statement

The Aspire Educational Trust is required under section 78 of the Education Act 2002 to promote the spiritual, moral, mental and physical development of pupils. As of November 2014, academies also need to promote fundamental British values as part of the academy curriculum.

The Aspire Educational Trust is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multicultural, multi-faith and ever-changing nature of the UK. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the trust are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

It follows equal opportunities' guidance which guarantees that there will be no discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. The Aspire Educational Trust is dedicated to ensuring that it promotes and reinforces British values to all of its pupils.

The Department for Education has suggested that pupils are taught about fundamental British values during their spiritual, moral and cultural (SMSC) classes. Pupils are expected to display knowledge of the fundamental aspects of British values.

The government has outlined their expectations, stating that pupils should:

• Understand the democratic process and how citizens can have a say in decision-making.
• Recognise the advantages to living under the rule of law and how law is essential for a safe society.
• See that there is a separation of power and why it exists.
• Understand the reasons for accountability of institutions and why courts maintain independence.
• Know why freedom of religion protects all faiths, as well as those with no faith.
• Accept that people who hold different religious beliefs should be tolerated and not be discriminated against.
• Value the importance of identifying and combatting extremism.

The Aspire Educational Trust will not promote discrimination, or accept intolerance against people or groups, on the basis of their belief, opinion or background across our organisation.

Our Academies use assemblies to highlight the diverse nature of British society and the right for each person to be respected for their choices. Our Academies teach pupils that they should never judge a person, and encourage them to become compassionate, open-minded and accepting.

Our academies serve multi-faith communities where each person is respected and valued equally without regard to ability, gender, faith, heritage or race.

We offer a broad and balanced curriculum in which all major religions are studied and respected. Our assemblies help all pupils to find out about themselves and others; linking their lives to the communities in which they belong. We place great emphasis on providing opportunities to participate in events and celebrations to broaden all pupils’ experiences and awareness of others.

In our academies we believe that tolerance of different faiths and beliefs are best gained through knowledge and understanding. Through our curriculum as well as the routines of daily life at every academy, we strive to not only learn about but also to demonstrate tolerance and help children to become knowledgeable and understanding citizens who can build a better Britain for the future.

Our academies believe and actively support the view that all pupils should be protected from radicalisation and extremism. Our approach to this is in line with the Government’s PREVENT strategy.

Our academies' commitment to safeguarding pupil welfare means we are vigilant to monitoring vulnerability to radicalisation including:

• Family tensions
• Sense of isolation
• Migration
• Distance from cultural heritage
• Experience of racism or discrimination
• Feeling of failure

Our academies are committed to educating pupils with regard to their engagement and acceptance with the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. Our academies aim to support our students in developing and demonstrating skills and attitudes that will allow them to participate fully in and contribute positively to life in modern Britain.

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